Fixing your bikes

Have you…?

a) Always done it yourself.
b) Previously used the LBS but started doing it since money got tight.
c) Carried on using the LBS.

I’m a b) for anything that I think I can cope with.

I used to be quite intimidated at the prospect but my confidence is growing.

A)

Bikes really are very simple machines ( with a couple of exceptions ) despite what some people would have you believe.

d). Used to get it done by a shop, got the piss taken once too often, started doing it myself, still use good LBSs occasionally for wheels, facing, and such. Nothing to do with money though.

Always done it myself apart from those parts i don’t hve the tools for, i.e BB/ Headsets.

Always done most things myself – just wheels I can’t build. My lbs has superb labour rates so I’ll sometimes get them to do bearings, headsets etc – saves the bike from my usual half-arsed improvised tools.

A) mostly.

Started because I couldn’t afford to pay £10 every time I buckled a wheel and went from there. The only stuff I can’t do is machining jobs like BB facing and fork bushes. I’ve collected a big tool kit and have some fairly decent and specialist bits now, and it’s starting to pay off as I’m buying, renovating, and reselling and also doing work and building wheels etc for mates who tend to pay with favours, cake and beer

I’ve seen (and fixed) to many bike shop bodges now to go back.

I’d really love to go out as a pro on my own, some sort of mobile cycle repair business. If I ever get the chance I might just do that too…..

Too many sub-par LBS jobs made me start repairing my own bikes. Similar to PP really, in that I can’t do machining and the like, because the tools are too expensive for the number of times I’d use them. I’ve just started my own wheels, which, after avoiding it for years really isn’t the dark art I thought it would be, and despite thinking I’d not have the patience, I find it really theraputic.

The thing with doing your own maintenance and repairs is that you absolutely, 100%, know its been done properly.

I build my own bikes and then get the lad who runs our shop just give it a bit of a tweek but as for fixing it I did always do my own but as I work where we have a shop/workshop I just say “can you have a look at this” and then I carry on doing my job while my bike gets fettled – for free 😉

a

Done all my own maintenance since I was 12 years old. Mum and dad split when I was 11 and cash was a bit thin on the ground so doing my own repairs was the only way to have a bike that worked. Built my first wheels at 14 but have never done a rear shock (yet)

The thing with doing your own maintenance and repairs is that you absolutely, 100%, know its been done properly.

This I agree with.
I’m letter A.

A). Started about 100 years ago on simple stuff and worked up from there, getting specialist tools as they were needed (decent tools are an investment anyway).

I’ve spent many many hours working on motorbikes, depressingly often late at night, up a lane in the dark / wet / cold, miles from anywhere … so [even] suspension is ok. Still don’t have a bearing press tho’, but I’d use an engineering shop for that (as I don’t think my LBS has one either).

I do use my LBS for most service items, and for getting in odd stuff from the importers. Granted it’s more expensive than online, but the one day I really *really* do need them for something I completely can’t fix (tho’ I dunno what it’d be), they’ll be there (hopefully).

It is tempting to wonder about doing it professionally … but I dunno how many of the proletariats supermarket bikes punctures / almost non-adjustable but still slipping mechs I can cope with at a couple o’ quid a time. 😕

The deliberate pomposity there is irony of course 🙄 , but there is also an element of truth there … I know from the hours I’ve spent loitering about in my LBS, that everyone’s bread-and-butter work is still punctures / slipping gears / badly adjusted whatevers.

a – started riding bikes as the mid life crisis three before the present one. Wanted the fun of building something useful to see if I could so maintained my first fairly cheap MTB and went from there. Now built up 7 frames for various friends and family as well as myself and about 4 sets of wheels after deciding that wheels were cheaper than whole bikes. Recently, moved onto fork repair out of necessity. Now have first FS and plucking up courage re rear shock service in due course.

a) since I was about 12 or 13, and sussed out how to undo bottom brackets and wheel hubs.

Never used a LBS to get anything serviced. Didn’t even take up the offer of the free service after 6 months.

Last effort I saw performed by the LBS here was dire. XT prices for Deore or lower components, and they still couldn’t even adjust the mech.
Oh and 2 tyres fitted the wrong way around.

a) cos i enjoy it, always have always will.

Bike shops tend to leave me massively underwhelmed..
so i’d rather get it wrong the first time and learn by mistake then be able to fix it than risk someone leaving me with a dangerous bike.

a) because I grew up in the middle of nowhere and before getting my driving license a bike shop repair involved waiting or my parents to have chance to drive through to Keswick. And it’s all pretty easy anyway innit.

I have no idea. Other than the occasional inner tube/tyre change I have never had anything in need of fixing…

A unless it is stuck then they can have a go
Build my own wheels as well
I doubt anyone on here will say anything different tbh whether it is true or not
Fork service I may get done properly but have done all my own so far.
never done a rear shock no intention of trying but no intention of paying for a service at those prices either.

small jobs – adjusting mech, chaning pads, etc – i used to do myself and worked out how by fiddling around in the garage.

i then spent quite a lot of time hanging around in a bike shop and had a nosey whenever somethig was being repaired. i was then able to use the workshop for free when messing with my bike. whenever something came up that i was unsure of i’d simply ask.

now have a rudimentary set of tools that i bought when necessary and can now do pretty much everything except remove ‘old’ style BBs.

cost wasn’t a factor for DIYing, but it is now (was earning good money to start with, now somewhat jobless (but only because i can’t be bothered to work at the moment, and no, i’m not claiming anything)).

A). I’ve accrued a lot of tools over the past 15 years. I like a nice tool.

GB

I will always try a) and haven’t needed LBS for servicing for years even if I’ve had to ‘adapt’ to not having the specialist tools. Being part of a bike club helps too as tools get shared around as does the knowledge.

So I’m the only b then? 😀

You big bunch of fibbers.

e: spent so much money in bikeshops I now get free servicing.

I’m moving towards being in the a group, but previously would have been b.

In the last year I’ve learnt hub servicing (Shimano type – I’ll be having a go at cartridge bearing hubs soon), wheel truing & fork servicing

Had some good, some bad experiences with the various LBS, but have now found a couple of bike shops in my local area who are good

I’ll do everything except….

1. Build wheels
2. Remove/fit headsets
3. Service rear shocks

Oh, FWIW I have 2 excellent LBSs and one excellent less-local-BS to choose from now (Bicycle Works, TheBikeChain and Icycles being the ones I know to trust), so it’s not just that shops are crap, there are good ones out there… I guess if I’d had that sort of backup 15 years ago I’d not have been so keen to get away from shops.

mostly a

I had to build up a bike when I was a kid and my dad gave me tuition as I went, however wheels I can’t do, mainly because I didn’t learn as a kid but also I don’t think it’s economic to get started now (cost of the bits plus cost of tuition plus cost of jig)

although I did get cooksons to do my bb when building the vitus because it needed chasing and got them to do the headset at the same time because the carbon steerer needed chopping and I was aware I could have easily ballsed it up

f) I do the basic stuff, my mate does the more complex stuff, due to LBS hack jobs in the past.

quickly moved away from lbs after i came back to riding. rather have myself to blame if it goes wrong on the trail tbh, and if you’ve stuck it together once you’ll have an idea of what spares to carry to stick it back together on the trail . i have a few bikes, so if one’s borked i can ride another, and if necessary throw money at a problem if i really can’t fix it. try and learn something along the way. seems to have paid off so far.
buy middle of the road stuff that lasts, then as it wears out, make sure i have something in to replace it. buy stuff on discount as i spot it. just try and stay on top of it all really.
edit: have built wheels that have lasted, but bought ones are generally cheaper. useful to have a stand and know how to true/repair though. can make the difference between cheap wheels lasting or failing quickly, and not difficult at all if you have some patience and can follow instructions. cart bearing hubs are very easy to maintain = hammer.

‘A’

A, and I sort out lots of other folks bikes on a barter for beer basis, I also modify and make frankenforks for big wheels and turn flappy paddle shimano silliness into lovely proper disc brakes. 😀

Mainly A

Recently moved, and left behind my old LBS (which was excellent – proper old school roadie shop: Rick Green Cycles, Handforth[/url]).

Now I’ve got the nearby choice of Harry Middleton, Paul Hewitt and Merlin.

I’ll still do all my fettling and must learn wheelbuilding some time.

A. I nearly always do my own spannering.

I bought a bike from an LBS last year, it came with a free 1-month service, so I took it in for them to do their thing. One of the shifters was busted and he couldn’t fix it, so I said “OK, I’ll take it home as it is and fix it myself.” This was his cue to get all arsey at me about “wasting an hour of his time” or something, very odd. I’ve not been back much since that.

Wouldn’t want to do it professionally, though: I worked in a bike shop as a summer job when I was 18, and I got sick of fixing up scratty unloved supermarket BSOs very quickly indeed.

Pretty much A since I built my first BMX from ASDA (lol!) when I was 10 (with help from dad of course).

I’ve never built wheels, and will get my mate to face and fit headsets, plus chase threads. Always serviced my forks myself and not had much to do with rear shock, except an old float r.

Pretty much a). Most jobs are really simple if you have the tools.

Always been A, and now seem to have a fair few mates who ‘sort of ask for a bit of help’… I never seem to get beer or cake back though- hmmm, I need to work on that one.

On-line manuals and workshop guides are really helpful- gave me the confidence to tackle RS dual air forks (easy peasy lemon squeasy) and my DT swiss rear shock- absolute simplicity itself, likewise the Fox’s on the other bikes in the family.
Cartridge bearings are a doddle, even on FS frames.
I really enjoy building wheels, as mentioned above- really theraputic.

I have resorted to LBS for:
*crank removal following on from stripped threads.
*helicoiling.
*the build and first service of my dream bike- for warranty purposes.

I have two LBS’s- Skyline Cycles, although Kev has now moved on to Lodge Cycles, even closer. And Hobbs, Carmarthen. An amazing outfit, next to PC world and well worth a visit just for the feel of the place.

Always done it, never found it hard to do anything on a bike really even when I was a teenager, but I was taught well too I suppose.

If I don’t have a tool and can’t buy it reasonably cheaply I’ll make one to suit, I consider it almost a matter of pride that I should be able to maintain my own machines, whatever they are.

I’ve worked on my own bikes since I was a nipper, only going to bike shops for “difficult” jobs. After being dissapointed on several occasions by the standard of work from bike shops and their attiude, I now do everything.
Money isn’t the issue, I just want the job done right.
I’ve learnt over the years that no one cares quite as much about spannering your bike as you do.

A) often find the quality of an LBS work doesn’t match the standard I would expect

Have had LBS do work for covienence but the issues that I have had in their work means I’d rather do my own with exception of wheels and truing and I will use tf or mojo for forks and shocks as to date 100% quality.

Over the years LBS work failures include
– pedals coming off crank arm
– loose wheels cones
– untightend banjo on brake calliper so first pull the fluid just went all over the pads
– loose shock mounts
– incorrectly serviced forks resulting in play and a Tf service to fix
– badly bled brakes

So for me I’d rather do it myself means I end up with tools and stuff but my work is more consistent IMHO 😀

I’ve always built and serviced my own bikes. Never really had time or the money to use a bike shop that often.

Recently had some wheels sorted by thebikechain, didn’t pay that much and the service was good, normally I service my own wheels but these are mavic deemaxs and I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle.

I’ve been trying to help out riders service their own bikes for years, a lot of riders who can’t really afford to maintain their bikes or who simply don’t know what needs done and when, would miss out without someone pitching in and giving them a hand.

That’s why STW is great for advise and support, the more amatuer riders that we have on properly serviced bikes, the more of a talent pool we have for the serious stuff. Basically it’s good for the entire MTB culture when riders bikes work as they should and are kept in circulation, rather than being written off or riders injured and then being put off from riding.

I would say to everyone thinking of servicing your own bikes, buy some books, park tools big blue book of bicycle repair, Zinn and the art of mountain bike maintenance, also research what you’re doing and if you get stuck just ask, chances are someone on STW will give you a hand 😀

I manage a lot myself but not:

* Brake bleeding – I’m confident with cable brakes but not hydraulics. Because it’s a safety thing, I like the idea of a proper mechanic doing it.

* Suspension servicing – More psychological really, forks and shocks are expensive components to mess up! I should have a go really.

* Hub and freehub servicing – I’ve never got the hang of adjusting Shimano hubs so that they don’t come loose – faff-tastic. And don’t have the means of press-fitting bearings in other kinds of hubs.

* Fitting Headsets – see hubs